The Cole residence was completely decked out for the holidays, brimming with festive decorations and warmth.
Both Caleb Cole and Cassandra Cole were home for the occasion.
The two older Cole sons and their wives were also present.
When they found out Claire was the doctor treating Kendrick, neither couple could hide their skepticism.
Cassandra's stepmother, Winona Hudson, glared at Claire with blatant suspicion, looking at her as if she were a con artist off the street.
"Dad, this doctor is far too young. Who on earth told you she was qualified to manage your health?"
Claire's youthful appearance made it nearly impossible for them to take her seriously.
Kendrick despised his daughter-in-law and flat-out ignored her.
Seeing the old man dismiss her, Winona shot a sharp look at her husband.
If Kendrick wouldn't listen to her, surely he would listen to his own son.
Catching his wife's signal, Pearce immediately chimed in. "Dad, Winona has a point."
"Why don't I hire a renowned specialist for you? Winona and her colleagues found a highly recommended doctor down South."
"Since it's the holidays, we could all take a vacation down there and have him examine you."
Winona's hometown happened to be in the South, and it was entirely unclear what her actual connection to this supposed specialist was.
Kendrick had no idea what kind of spell Winona had cast over his son to make him this foolish.
Regardless, he wasn't going anywhere.
"There's no need. I appreciate the thought, but no."
"As for Claire, don't let her age fool you. Her medical expertise is unparalleled."
"But Dad, Winona went through a lot of trouble to secure an appointment with that doctor."
Pearce refused to drop the subject.
While he was desperately trying to defend Winona, it wasn't completely devoid of filial duty.
After all, his entire standing in the family relied on Kendrick being alive.
If the old man passed away and his older brother Latham took over, Pearce's
branch of the family would be severely marginalized.
Latham already couldn't stand him.
"If she secured an appointment, she
should
it to get her head
checked," Kendrick snapped,
showing zero patience for his son's
blind devotion to his wife.
Pearce choked on his words, realizing his father was openly insulting them.
"Dad, I'm being serious here!"
Kendrick rolled his eyes. "I'm being serious too. You really do need your You head checked if you think marrying. Cassandra off to Winona's nephew is a good idea."
Pearce's face drained of color.
That was exactly what he and Winona had been scheming to do.
His eldest daughter was stubbornly disobedient; she had brilliant career prospects but only care abouther research, acting like a complete bookworm.
Winona's nephew fancied her, and if they married, at least the boy wouldn't mistreat her.
In his mind, he was looking out for his daughter's best interests.
Even though the nephew had a mediocre job, marrying Cassandra meant Kendrick
could pull some strings and secure him a better position.
That way, Winona's family would elevate their social standing.
And Winona wouldn't be mocked every time she went back to her hometown.
Simply put, Pearce was willing to use his own daughter as a pawn to please his wife and impress his in-laws.
As for Cassandra's opinion?
She always claimed she didn't care who she married, or that she didn't want to marry at all, didn't she?
The nephew wasn't a terrible guy, and Pearce figured the two of them could build a decent life together.
"Dad, I know I handled that poorly. I didn't think it through, and I forgot that the Cole family looks down on my relatives."
"I know joining the Cole family was a massive step up for me."
"I've spent all these years walking on eggshells."
"But I truly just wanted what was best for Cassandra."
"She's so quiet and hates socializing. If she married into an elite family, they'd tear
her apart."
"My nephew is different. With me as her aunt and Pearce backing her, he would never dare lay a finger on her."